$250M invested in rice drying floors

Guyana’s rice sector has seen an investment of approximately $250 million over the past six years in the construction of more than 12 drying floors across the country.
This represents a strengthening of post-harvest support for rice farmers and provides safer, more efficient facilities for drying paddy.
The investment was highlighted during a recent engagement on Wednesday between Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Vikash Ramkissoon; rice farmers; cattle farmers; and representatives of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), at the Windsor Forest Community Ground, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) report, the engagement was convened to resolve concerns surrounding the proposed location of a new drying floor in the Windsor Forest area, where farmers had been drying paddy along the roadway.
The proposed site had also raised concerns among cattle farmers over access to pasture and the movement of livestock.
Ramkissoon stressed that the Government’s approach is one of consultation and finding solutions that benefit all stakeholders.
“This is a government that comes to people for consultation… and the Government has to proceed to do what is in the interest of everyone,” the Minister is quoted as saying in the report.
Following discussions, stakeholders agreed on an alternative location that would allow rice farmers access to the drying facility while preserving cattle farmers’ access to their pasture.
Engineers from the relevant agencies will now work with the NDC and farmers to finalise the site and address requirements such as fencing and access.
GRDB’s Deputy General Manager, Kuldip Ragnauth, explained that drying floors were critical to reducing the risks associated with farmers drying paddy on public roads.
He said the facilities could handle approximately 300 to 400 bags of paddy per day, with the new facility expected to serve about 300 farmers in the area.
Kuldip also noted that each drying floor costs approximately $20 million, underscoring the scale of the Government’s investment in improving the rice industry’s infrastructure.
GLDA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Dr Praimnauth Tihul, said the intervention successfully addressed the concerns of both rice and cattle farmers.
He noted that the alternative site was selected to ensure that cattle farmers’ access would not be affected while providing rice farmers with a dedicated space for drying paddy.
Rice farmer Harry Prashad welcomed the outcome, describing the agreement as a satisfactory solution for both groups. He said the decision allowed rice farmers to benefit from a drying facility without occupying land needed by cattle farmers.
Meanwhile, construction of another drying floor is already progressing at Den Amstel, with completion anticipated around October.
The facility is expected to further strengthen post-harvest capacity for farmers in the area.